In Chenjiagou, Wenxian County, Henan Province, 18 French students are practicing Tai Chi, King Kong pounding, single whip, white crane wings...... Every move and style are soft and slow, and the opening and closing are orderly. Their team leader is Chen Shaoquan from Bordeaux, France. The 44-year-old has been practicing Tai Chi for more than 20 years. When he was young, Chen Shaoquan was injured in sports, and when he heard that Tai Chi could recuperate his body, he studied at a local club in France, and since then he has been fascinated by this traditional Chinese martial art. "Now practicing Tai Chi is the same as eating, and it is uncomfortable not to practice for a day." Chen Shaoquan said with a smile. In addition to learning boxing, the French students also visited the China Taijiquan Museum, Taijiquan ancestral shrine and other places to learn about the history and culture of Taijiquan. "Man and nature are in harmony, and the laws of nature can be found in the body. When you know yourself, you know all things. Chen Shaoquan said when talking about the feeling of practicing Tai Chi. In 2007, Chen Shaoquan and his partners began to promote Chinese culture by teaching Tai Chi and Chinese. In 2013, Chen Shaoquan worshipped Chen Ziqiang, the head coach of Chenjiagou Taijiquan School, as his teacher, and since then, he has led French students to study in Chenjiagou almost every year. Chen Ziqiang was also invited to France to teach boxing. "Now the French are more and more fond of Chinese culture, tai chi, Chinese medicine, calligraphy, Chinese food...... I hope our relationship is getting better and better. Chen Shaoquan said.
French students practice Tai Chi in the square of the Monolithic Church of Saint-Emilion, France (photographed in 2019). Xinhua News Agency (photo provided by the interviewee)
At the Chenjiagou Taijiquan School, Chen Ziqiang (left) instructs Chen Shaoquan to practice Taijiquan (photo taken on April 18, 2024). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Jianan
Chen Shaoquan (first from left) and French students practice Taijiquan at the ancestral shrine of Taijiquan in Chenjiagou (photo taken on April 19, 2024). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li An
Chen Shaoquan (front left) and Master Chen Ziqiang (front right) and French students practice Tai Chi at the ancestral shrine of Taijiquan in Chenjiagou (photo taken on 19 February 2024). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li An
Chen Shaoquan (first from left) leads French students to visit the ancestral shrine of Taijiquan in Chenjiagou (photo taken on April 19, 2024). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li An
Chen Ziqiang (front) leads French students to practice Taijiquan at the ancestral shrine of Taijiquan in Chenjiagou (photo taken on April 19, 2024). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li An
Chen Shaoquan (left) visits the ancestral shrine of Taijiquan in Chenjiagou (photo taken on April 19, 2024). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li An
Chen Shaoquan practices Taijiquan at Chenjiagou Taijiquan School (photo taken on April 18, 2024). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Jianan
A French student experiences practicing the stacking stone at Yang Lu Zen Boxing in Chenjiagou (photo taken on April 18, 2024). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li An
Chen Shaoquan (front left) and Master Chen Ziqiang (front right) exchange Tai Chi pushers at Yang Lu Zen Boxing in Chenjiagou (photo taken on April 18, 2024). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li An
Chen Shaoquan (first from right) leads a visit to the Zen Boxing Office of French student Chen Jiagou Yang Lu (photo taken on April 18, 2024). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li An
Chen Shaoquan (front left) and Master Chen Ziqiang (front right) and students from France practice Tai Chi at Yang Lu Zen Quan in Chenjiagou (photo taken on April 18, 2024). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li An
At the Chenjiagou Taijiquan School, Chen Ziqiang (left) instructs Chen Shaoquan to practice Taijiquan (photo taken on April 18, 2024). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Jianan
At the Chenjiagou Taijiquan School, Chen Shaoquan drinks water between boxing exercises (photo taken on April 18, 2024). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li An
French students practice Tai Chi at Chenjiagou Taijiquan School (photo taken on April 18, 2024). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li An
French students photograph students performing Tai Chi fans at Chenjiagou Taijiquan School (photo taken on April 18, 2024). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li An